Read Online Clementine Rose and the Treasure Box 6 by Jacqueline Harvey - Free Book Online Page A

would be better for business if they stayed close to the stalls in the front garden. Basil was going to be the photographer for the day.
    Clementine was worried about her new friends. A few days before, Flash had gone missing from the Hobbses’ house and, although the children had searched high and low, there was no sign of him. Clementine remembered how worried she’d been when Lavender had escaped at the seaside. Tilda was especially upset.
    â€˜I’ll come back and get you ready after breakfast,’ Clementine whispered to Lavender, and then raced into the hallway.
    Aunt Violet was walking towards her, carrying a thick plait of red rope and a box of pins.
    â€˜You look nice, Aunt Violet.’ Clementine admired the woman’s smart navy pants-suit and spotty silk blouse. ‘What are you doing?’
    â€˜I’m roping off all the areas of the house where we don’t want people to go.’
    Clementine looked down the hallway. The rope was across the top of the main stairs. She took a few steps further and noticed that there was another rope blocking off the floor below. She wondered if the people were going to get any further than the front hall.
    â€˜Now run along, Clementine, and don’t touch any of my ropes,’ Aunt Violet directed.
    The kitchen was buzzing. People were coming in and out of the back door, bringing all sorts of delicious treats, and Mrs Tribble was now directing her husband and Mr Moggas they moved the last of the boxes from the Penberthy House attic.
    Mrs Mogg turned from where she was arranging chocolate brownies on a plate. ‘Good morning, Clementine. Don’t you look lovely.’
    â€˜I can’t wait for the fete.’ Clementine shivered with excitement.
    She poured herself some cereal, and Mrs Mogg offered to help with the milk. Usually Clementine liked to do things herself but this morning she didn’t want to spill anything on the table or her dress.
    Aunt Violet stormed into the kitchen. Her face was red and Clementine could almost see the steam coming out of her ears. ‘Who took the rope from the bottom of the staircase?’
    Lady Clarissa came down the back stairs at that moment. ‘I did, Aunt Violet. You’ve got hours until the tours begin and I needed to bring some more things downstairs for the jumble sale.’
    â€˜What do you call those?’ Aunt Violet pointed at the back stairs.
    â€˜Aunt Violet, I was trying to take the shortest route to the front garden. Those boxes are heavy, you know.’
    â€˜Don’t get snippy with me, Clarissa. I’ve got a lot to do. If you want these tours to work, I simply can’t have people traipsing all through the house. There … there are rules!’ She turned on her heel and strode from the room.
    â€˜Her rules,’ Uncle Digby muttered.
    Clementine finished her breakfast and raced upstairs to get Lavender ready. She was going to wear her best sparkly red collar with the matching lead.

    By nine o’clock the stalls were set up, Mrs Mogg’s cafe was ready and Aunt Violet had finished roping off the house. As far as Clementine could tell, guests would be allowed in the sitting room, dining room, conservatory and library. Everywhere else was off limits.
    Clementine recognised lots of things on Mrs Tribble’s bric-a-brac tables but there was loads more that other people in the village had donated too.
    Basil and Ana arrived with the children in tow. Clementine and Lavender raced out to greet them.
    â€˜Hello,’ Clementine said. ‘Lavender’s all ready for the photos.’
    Basil grinned. ‘And might I say she looks especially gorgeous today.’
    â€˜I’d better get going and help Mrs Tribble,’ Ana said.
    â€˜Have you found Flash?’ Clementine asked.
    Tilda shook her head. ‘I don’t think he’s ever coming back.’
    â€˜He might have walked home to our old house,’ Araminta said.